We are pleased to inform you that the building project at Goze Delchev, Bulgaria, is making steady progress.
While many challenges and tensions surround the ministry among Turkish Muslims in Bulgaria, God is building His church as former Muslims are growing in God’s grace and knowledge of His Word.
A wonderful provision was the plot of ground which they obtained in 2022. Since then the congregation, with the help of friends, has given sacrificially to erect a multi-purpose building for the glory of God. Included in this will be a Hope Centre. While there is no ‘one-size-fits-all’ solution and each centre adapts to meet the needs of the local community, all Hope Centres are church based, providing a place of refuge while sharing the Gospel with children, families and the community.
A recent report included encouraging details of their plans to complete the Hope Centre facilities on the third floor of the building. The finished building will also serve as the church meeting place and centre for ministry.
While the building work of bricks and mortar is ongoing, God is building His spiritual house. One of the church members, Mario, shares about the grace of God in his life.
I have lived my whole life as a Muslim, but in the last five years I have become even more passionate about Islam. I started attending the mosque diligently, praying and giving away more food and money, making it public and visible so that people will see me and get Allah's approval.
During this time, his sister who was a member of the church, had been praying for him and his family. Mario’s wife started to attend the evangelical church. Meanwhile he became seriously ill with heart disease. It was then that he began to call on the name of the Lord. He shared what happened next.
As soon as I called out the name of Jesus, everything stopped, the pain and the fear, and I fell asleep in a way that I don't remember how long I slept so peacefully. I now attend this church and confess the name of JESUS CHRIST the King of Kings.’
As the construction work continues, we pray that this building will be ‘Stones speaking of Christ’. Like Mario, we pray that many will call upon the name of the Lord and crown Him as King of their lives.